Kenya Beat Canada In Dubai Opener

Kenya struck first in their set of two One-Day Internationals against Canada in Dubai with a six-wicket win in the opening match, reaching a target of 228 with 15 balls remaining.

Canada had reached 227 for eight with half-centuries from Ruvindu Gunasekera and Raza-ur-Rehman before Kenya's Irfan Karim made 65 in reply.

The win is just Kenya's third in the ICC World Cricket League Championship lifting them level on six points with Netherlands, four points adrift of leaders Ireland, United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan.

The two sides at the top of the table after all matches are completed will qualify automatically for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Gunasekara made 72 in 112 balls to help Canada recover from 26 for two and Raza hit 70 in 83 balls late on as they battled hard to establish a winning score.

Usman Limbada also made 30 and Jimmy Hansra 24.

In reply, Karim led the way for Kenya with a patient 65 in 108 balls and alongside him at the top of the order Alex Obanda made 26, dominating a 36-run opening stand.

Maurice Ouma then hit 47, helping Karim add 95 for the second wicket although after both he and Karim were dismissed, with the score on 167 for three, there was a way for Canada to get back into the match.

Howeer, thanks to 24 not out from Tanmay Mishra and 20 in 13 balls from Rakep Patel, Kenya eased home in the 48th over to keep their slim chances of automatic World Cup qualification alive.